Well, well, well, let’s dive right into the fabulous 80s, shall we? Whoa, the big hair, the grunge rock, and glory be, can you hear that synthesizer music?! Now, if you are a fan of Dirty Dancing, I’ve got to say, baby- no not ‘Baby in the corner’, just ‘baby’- you’ve got some fabulous taste!
That’s right, Dirty Dancing, oh, hear those beautiful tunes? Patrick Swayze melting hearts with his dance moves, his voice… wait a sec, is the room spinning or is that just me? It’s like I have “hungry eyes” for good music movies. Now, baby, if you’re in the mood to keep the dance alive, let’s take a magical carpet ride back to the time of mullets and Madonna. Boy, the 80s were sure something else, weren’t they? Now, don’t you dare go putting yourself in a corner, because I’ve got your golden ticket to a movie that’ll keep your feet tapping and your heart racing – Footloose (1984).
Da-dan! Heart-racing, toe-tapping, Footloose! featuring the one and only Kevin Bacon – yes, the Kevin Bacon, the six degrees man himself. Footloose, directed by Herbert Ross, is a classic 80s flick that sets your heart a-leaping and your feet a-stomping. Now, you might think, “What’s the deal with Footloose? Is it all just about dancing feet?” Well, hold onto your leotards, because this movie isn’t just about breaking down some seriously restricted dance walls, people, but breaking down societal norms and asserting the fresh teen spirit that was characteristic of the fabulous 80s.
In Footloose, Bacon plays Ren McCormack, a city boy turned country bumpkin who moves from Chicago to a small town in the Midwest. But this isn’t just any small town, oh no, here dancing and rock music are banned. Oh, the horror! It’s like banning wishes from a genie! But Ren, oh our hero Ren, he’s not going to take this lying down. No sir, he challenges this ban, stirring up some serious controversy and let me tell you, some serious moves on the dance floor.
The film is not only memorable for its compelling narrative and bold characters, but also for its heart-racing soundtrack – literally titled Footloose. Every song in this motion picture soundtrack is a bop!
Just try not to boogie down while listening to Kenny Loggins’ “Footloose” or quieten those ecstatic feels when the film’s love theme, “Almost Paradise,” comes on. It’s like trying not to laugh when I wear a woman’s suit and sing opera – impossible, darling, it’s simply impossible!
Now, if you’re wondering why I would recommend Footloose as the ideal follow-up to Dirty Dancing, it’s all about the connection, baby – not an internet one, but one of soul, spirit, and dancing feet. Both films share common themes of youthful rebellion, defying norms, and of course, some serious dance moves. If we were to look for a match made in motion picture heaven, well, these two films are out dancing under the disco ball.
What distinguishes Footloose, however, is its ability to capture the essence of the 80s – the fashion, the issues, the music – and infuse it with a story that’s universal and, indeed, timeless. More than that, it robustly asserts that dance – like love, like laughter – knows no bounds. Whether it’s in a high school gym or a sweaty dance hall – I mean, who doesn’t remember the steamy dance scene in that barn? – it can bring people together and help them express what words often can’t.
So, there you have it, my darling movie-fanatic – my long-winded suggestion for you to continue your journey of dance-filled movie delights. Footloose, it’s not just a film, it’s an experience – about letting loose, breaking free, and shaking off your worries, even just for a little while. It’s filled to the brim with vivacious music, sizzling dancing scenes, a captivating story, and a riveting performance that will keep you hooked from the opening scene to the credits roll.
So, when someone asks what’s the movie equivalent of stepping out of a restrictive cocoon and transforming into a dazzling butterfly, well, just point them towards Footloose. Now, go on, get your dance on, and remember, no one puts Baby – or you – in a corner!
